Level Crossings
A level crossing is where a road crosses a railway or tramline rather than going over or under it via a bridge. There are over 75, 000 level crossings across the UK and more people die crossing these each year than in train crashes and derailments so it is important to know how to use them correctly:
• Never drive across a level crossing until the road is clear on the other side so that you will be able to leave the area immediately.
• Do not drive too close to the car in front in case you are unable to exit the area safely.
• Never stop or park on or near a level crossing, endangering yourself or other drivers.
• There may be overhead electric lines above level crossings especially if used by trams. You must obey safe height road warning signs and not use the crossing if your vehicle is outside the restrictions. The height is usually 5 metres but may be lower. How to use the level crossing
• Most level crossings have traffic light signals with a steady amber light, twin flashing red stop lights, and an alarm for pedestrians. They may have a full or half or even no barrier.
• If the red stop lights are flashing you must obey the signal and stop behind the white line across the road. When the lights flash and alarm sounds the train can pass the crossing only 27 seconds later so there is no time to cross the line.
• However if the amber light signals and you are already across the white line continue across the crossing. You must not reverse onto or over a controlled crossing.
• If the train has passed and the red light continues to flash you must wait. There may be a second train passing soon from the same or a different direction.
• Only cross the crossing when the lights go off and the barrier (if there is one) is open.
• Never zig-zag around half barriers, they lower automatically when a train is approaching so it is dangerous to ignore them.
• At crossings without barriers, the train is approaching when the lights flash. Stop behind the white line and wait for lights to stop.
• At crossings without lights vehicles should stop and wait at the barrier or gate when it begins to close and wait until it opens before crossing.
• User operated gates or barriers have stop signs and small red and green lights. You must not cross if the red light is showing. If safe to cross open the gates on both sides then check the green light again before crossing, and close the gates once across.
• If there are no signals or barriers look both ways along the track and listen before crossing. If there is a telephone use it to contact the operator at a Network Rail monitoring point and check it is safe to cross. Railway telephones These are for use by drivers of large or slow moving vehicles with a risk of grounding on the elevated crossing area. Also for use of farmers herding cattle across the track. You must obey any signal instructing you to use the telephone before using the crossing and must telephone when clear of the crossing if requested to do so. Incidents and breakdowns If there is a breakdown or incident on a crossing first make sure everyone is out of the vehicles and clear of the crossing.
• Use a railway telephone to contact the operator and follow the instructions given.
• If there is time before the next train move the vehicle clear of the crossing.
• If the amber or red lights come on move clear of the crossing immediately.
References
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode
http://www.networkrail.co.uk
www.news.bbc.co.uk
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The Coopers Driving School Team
